Low-Fiber/Low-Residue Diet

What is a Low-Fiber/Low-Residue Diet?

A low-fiber/low-residue diet limits the amount of dietary fiber and residue-providing food in your diet. Dietary
fiber
is a type of carbohydrate found in plants that cannot be digested. Residue is the undigested part of food that makes up stool. Limiting dietary fiber and residue reduces the amount of food that passes through the large intestine.

Why Should I Follow a Low-Fiber/Low-Residue Diet?

This diet may be recommended if you have gastrointestinal distress or discomfort, or if your gastrointestinal system needs to rest. Conditions that may require a low-fiber/low-residue diet include
ulcerative colitis
and
Crohn’s disease. It may also be prescribed as a transitional diet following certain types of surgery and if you are undergoing
radiation therapy
to the abdomen.

Low-Fiber/Low-Residue Diet Basics

Fiber is found in plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. While you can still eat some foods with fiber on this diet, high-fiber foods need to be limited. Ask your doctor or registered dietitian about how many grams of fiber you can have per day.

To decrease residue, you will need to limit your intake of fiber-containing foods, milk and milk products, and caffeine. The standard low-residue diet allows 2 cups of milk or milk products per day. You may need to avoid milk if you are
lactose intolerant.

Because this diet restricts many nutrient-rich foods, it may not meet all of your vitamin and mineral requirements. Talk to your doctor or registered dietitian about whether you would benefit from a vitamin supplement.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.